Dapper Boi: What Happened To The Brand After Shark Tank?
Gender expression doesn't have to be binary, and neither does clothing — that's the idea behind Dapper Boi, a clothing brand that appeared on "Shark Tank" in 2023. Married couple Vicky and Charisse Pasche first hit on the Dapper Boi concept during their honeymoon in 2014 after Vicky grew frustrated with the limited clothing options available at most retailers, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune. For her, there was an obvious gap in the market: fashion items that fit curvy body types while still maintaining a casual, masculine edge.
To fill this gap, the pair officially launched the Dapper Boi brand in 2015 with the aid of a successful Kickstarter campaign, per Forbes. They initially focused on gender-neutral jeans made to fit a variety of body shapes and sizes, and their first denim line quickly sold out. Dapper Boi soon followed up with other androgynous dressing staples, which saw similar success.
By 2020, the company was earning over $1 million in annual revenue, but the Pasches knew they still needed additional money to stay afloat. With only $100 in cash and having just sold their house to make ends meet, the founders headed to "Shark Tank" in hopes of beefing up their funds.
Dapper Boi's Shark Tank pitch
Vicky and Charisse Pasche arrived on the "Shark Tank" stage, alongside a group of models showing off pieces from the Dapper Boi clothing line (including jeans, a jacket, and button-up shirts). Their goal: secure $250,000 from the Sharks in exchange for 5% equity in their business. The couple pitched their brand as a "shopping experience ... based on style preference and body type, not on gender," with designs made for everybody — and every body.
After the founders gave their pitch, the Sharks wanted to know more about the brand's business model and its financial standing. Vicky explained that Dapper Boi sold directly to consumers via its website using a pre-order strategy, where buyers could pre-order items at a lower price. She revealed that the company had brought in $3.5 million over a span of seven years, but the Sharks were especially impressed when she shared that Dapper Boi had earned $1.2 million just in the last year.
However, the investors appeared cautious when they learned how little cash Dapper Boi had saved and that the company was deeply in debt. Mark Cuban and Kevin O'Leary criticized the founders' decision to invest heavily in marketing, and Vicky responded by admitting she made a mistake and needed guidance. In the end, the Pasches walked away without a deal, though Daymond John (who founded the successful streetwear brand FUBU) mentioned the possibility of becoming their mentor.
Dapper Boi continued to grow without help from the Sharks
The Dapper Boi founders failed to win over the "Shark Tank" investors, but they found a way to persevere nonetheless. In fact, during a live-streamed watch party for the premiere of their "Shark Tank" debut, Vicky Pasche announced that Dapper Boi had received a $250,000 investment from Alternative Wealth Partners' Kelly Ann Winget, an entrepreneur who understood and believed in their vision. And — plot twist — the deal coincidentally went down just hours before they taped their "Shark Tank" episode.
It's unclear to what extent the brand's TV feature boosted its growth, though Pasche believed appearing on "Shark Tank" was a clear win for the LGBTQ+ community. "We were so excited to be featured on a mainstream show like this because representation of the LGBTQ+ community is important," she told Nasdaq.
A few months after the episode aired, Dapper Boi confirmed on its website that it planned to expand its product line-up while continuing to focus on gender and size inclusivity. To better meet demand, it would also cease its pre-order system. Despite this growth, however, Dapper Boi noted that it was still depending on fundraising to make its goal of expanding a reality.
Dapper Boi is still in business
Dapper Boi is still around and continues to thrive as a seven-figure business, according to Alternative Wealth Partners. In its digital shop and app, the brand still sells jackets, slim and relaxed-fit jeans, and tops, as well as accessories such as logoed hats and socks. The company also has an active online presence and can be found on Instagram, TikTok, and other channels.
Part of Dapper Boi's success can likely be attributed to its focus on building customer loyalty. The brand offers a rewards program called The Boi's Club that allows customers to earn points and other prizes. Perhaps as a result of these and other strategies, the business reportedly has a repeat customer rate of 71%.
The inclusive attitude at the heart of the business may also be a major driver of its success — and allows it to stand out against its competitors. "Our jeans are size 26 to 52 and to translate that into women's traditional sizing it would be like a double zero to a size 26, which is unheard of for most brands," Charisse Pasche shared with The San Diego Union-Tribune.
What's next for Dapper Boi?
Currently, the Dapper Boi founders have their sights set on bigger growth as a genderless apparel line and further development of their sizing range — they just need the funds to make it happen. In September 2023, Charisse Pasche revealed to Starter Story, "If we can raise $2M on our current SAFE note, conservative 5-year projections show the potential for $30+ million in annual sales ... We would be able to expand our designs to include even more diverse fits. Ultimately, we want to provide clothing for people—regardless of size, body, gender, age, or any other factor that currently dictates fashion norms. And if we can fundraise the capital, we'll be able to do just that."
Unsurprisingly, given their "Shark Tank" fame, Charisse and Vicky Pasche also champion funding for female and queer entrepreneurs. Vicky appears in the 2023 documentary "Show Her the Money" about the lack of financial resources given to female founders, and she's set to be featured in Amazon's LGBTQ docu-series "OUTRageous," according to Queerency. As for Dapper Boi's potential mentorship with Shark Daymond John, the future's a little fuzzier.